Paddle Up or Down? Yes!

  "Master, this humble student wishes to know where to hold his paddle," said the student (S).

"You need to hold it low, middle and high," replied the master.

"Master, I cannot hold it in three places?" said the humble, confused student (HCS).

"It then, is not where to hold the paddle. You must notice when."

"Please enlighten me," said the humble student (HS).

"When the ball to the opponents is low, where must they hit the ball, grasshopper?"

"Why, it has to come up to cross the net!" said the partially enlightened humble student (PEHS)

"And when the ball is hit high to your foes, where will the ball go?" queried the master.

"Ah, I begin to see the light.  The ball must come down to avoid exceeding the back boundary line of shame," replied the almost fully enlightened humble student (AFEHS).

"And when you, grasshopper, dink the ball too high, what will happen then?" asked the master.

"The vengeful foes will seek to speed the point up!" said the fully enlightened humble student (FEHS)

"Yes, grasshopper.  So it is not where you should hold  the paddle but when."  

"If the opponents have a low ball to hit, raise your humble paddle, look for a chance to speed up the point, hit the winning downward dragon shot, or return a modest dink."

"If the ball has popped up, you must expect their downward dragon shot, and attempt to save the point, move back, lower your paddle, try to block."

"And if the ball is up a dangerous amount, watch for a fast ball from those who don't dink, be ready to provide them with an unexpected block, move your paddle to the holy middle position."

"But in all cases, position your paddle for the expected shot.  Grasshopper, your lesson is complete...  Would it be too much to ask for a cup of tea?" quoth the master.